Gubbi Gubbi possum skin cloak making

On 25–27 September at the Kenilworth Hall and Showgrounds, Kenilworth the Wiruungga Organisation funded this fabulous workshop, held in conjunction with Carol McGregor and Glennys Briggs indigenous artists and the State Library of Queensland.

The workshop was a community workshop to revive possum skin traditions through contemporary artistic practice. Using contemporary techniques inspired by traditional practices, participants will illustrate their stories on a possum skin. These pieces will be stitched together to create one large adult cloak, collectively representing the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi community.

Glennys (a Taungwurrung-Yorta Yorta woman from North Central Victoria) and Carol (a Wathaurung woman from Victoria) have extensively researched and created possum skin cloaks through their artistic practice, and will pass on their knowledge through a weekend-long skills sharing workshop. The artists will run the workshop in collaboration with Melinda Serico, a practising Gubbi Gubbi /Kabi Kabi artist.

The completed cloak will be displayed as part of an exhibition at State Library of Queensland in 2016–2017, and will then be returned to the community to be kept in an agreed place, accessible by all.

The Wiruungga Organisation will be holding another (closed) workshop for elders, early next year, this cloak is already being designed by elders with the traditional stories that feel are important to pass on. This cloak will also be on view at the State Library of Queensland over 2016-2017.